Stupid or Crazy? - Think Atheist2015-03-04T01:08:15Zhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/topics/stupid-or-crazy?xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI think that if they choose t…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-03-09:1982180:Comment:12706182013-03-09T10:34:10.306ZAngela Evangeliahttp://www.thinkatheist.com/xn/detail/u_13yjnhy3fd7t0
<p>I think that if they choose to believe that the earth is flat or that snakes talk etc, in spite of evidence that it’s not true, then they just don’t really care enough about it. They mostly just want to fit into the circle they belong to … </p>
<p>Bingo is more important than facts … : )</p>
<p>I think that if they choose to believe that the earth is flat or that snakes talk etc, in spite of evidence that it’s not true, then they just don’t really care enough about it. They mostly just want to fit into the circle they belong to … </p>
<p>Bingo is more important than facts … : )</p> I'm puzzled by why your quest…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12617062013-02-18T21:34:18.340ZGregg R Thomashttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/GreggRThomas
<p>I'm puzzled by why your question has a forced limitation of only two negative options, stupid or crazy.</p>
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<p>I'm puzzled by why your question has a forced limitation of only two negative options, stupid or crazy.</p>
<p></p> I left Christianity 40 years…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12615732013-02-18T18:22:14.535ZTimhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/Tim423
<p>I left Christianity 40 years ago. I still have many friends from my past who are still very devout Christians. I don't think that any of them has ever had defend their faith. I have questioned a few of them about their beliefs. When I do, they are shocked that I, or anyone, has objections to what they believe. Their dogma is so deeply ingrained in their being that it is <strong>absolutely unfathomable</strong> for them to comprehend that there is even the smallest possibility that what they…</p>
<p>I left Christianity 40 years ago. I still have many friends from my past who are still very devout Christians. I don't think that any of them has ever had defend their faith. I have questioned a few of them about their beliefs. When I do, they are shocked that I, or anyone, has objections to what they believe. Their dogma is so deeply ingrained in their being that it is <strong>absolutely unfathomable</strong> for them to comprehend that there is even the smallest possibility that what they believe is not true.</p> Does this person posses the e…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12616402013-02-18T18:05:15.440Zonyango makagutuhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/onyangomakagutu
<p>Does this person posses the evidence? There could be evidence and they are not aware of it in which case they are just ignorant.</p>
<p>If they have the evidence then calling them stupid would be an insult to the stupid, calling them crazy I'd feel insulted so I think they are just willfully ignorant or as GM has said delusional</p>
<p>Does this person posses the evidence? There could be evidence and they are not aware of it in which case they are just ignorant.</p>
<p>If they have the evidence then calling them stupid would be an insult to the stupid, calling them crazy I'd feel insulted so I think they are just willfully ignorant or as GM has said delusional</p> I didn't expect this to foste…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12614582013-02-18T17:59:46.312Zfutilethewindshttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/futilethewinds
<p>I didn't expect this to foster such a good, serious discussion. My serious, philosophical questions never do.</p>
<p>I didn't expect this to foster such a good, serious discussion. My serious, philosophical questions never do.</p> That is a very illuminating c…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12614242013-02-18T05:49:15.815ZKairan Nierdehttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/KairanNierde
<p>That is a very illuminating comparison.</p>
<p>That is a very illuminating comparison.</p> Perhaps they are both or neit…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12616022013-02-18T05:46:12.033ZKairan Nierdehttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/KairanNierde
<p>Perhaps they are both or neither. They could just be stubborn. </p>
<p>Perhaps they are both or neither. They could just be stubborn. </p> Does it make a difference? T…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12614182013-02-18T05:37:21.377ZDoug Reardonhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/DougReardon
<p>Does it make a difference? They are wrong!</p>
<p>Does it make a difference? They are wrong!</p> Delusion: (Psychiatry) A delu…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12610882013-02-18T03:36:41.093ZGallup's Mirrorhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/GallupsMirror
<p><strong>Delusion:</strong> (<em>Psychiatry</em>) A delusion is an unshakable belief in something untrue. These irrational beliefs defy normal reasoning, and remain firm even when overwhelming proof is presented to dispute them. Delusions are often accompanied by hallucinations and/or feelings of paranoia, which act to strengthen confidence in the delusion. Delusions are distinct from culturally or religiously based beliefs that may be seen as untrue by outsiders.…</p>
<p><strong>Delusion:</strong> (<em>Psychiatry</em>) A delusion is an unshakable belief in something untrue. These irrational beliefs defy normal reasoning, and remain firm even when overwhelming proof is presented to dispute them. Delusions are often accompanied by hallucinations and/or feelings of paranoia, which act to strengthen confidence in the delusion. Delusions are distinct from culturally or religiously based beliefs that may be seen as untrue by outsiders.</p>
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<p>I think Richard Dawkins is absolutely right. Most religious beliefs-- especially Judaic, Christian, and Islamic-- qualify as delusional. That modern psychiatry grants religion a special exemption is patently absurd. What other explanation is there for such a huge concession than intellectually dishonest placation?</p> I would have to go with 'desp…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-18:1982180:Comment:12613282013-02-18T03:04:14.607ZJohn Prendergasthttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/JohnPrendergast
<p>I would have to go with 'desperate'.</p>
<p>Like many evangelical atheists, I often make sport of attempting to convince religious believers to renounce their faith, and so often have long conversations with believers about <em>why</em> they believe whatever fairytale they believe, and this has led me to conclude that most are not stupid or crazy, just desperate for their lives to mean more, desperate for love and attention, and desperate for guidance.</p>
<p>For us atheists, the universe is…</p>
<p>I would have to go with 'desperate'.</p>
<p>Like many evangelical atheists, I often make sport of attempting to convince religious believers to renounce their faith, and so often have long conversations with believers about <em>why</em> they believe whatever fairytale they believe, and this has led me to conclude that most are not stupid or crazy, just desperate for their lives to mean more, desperate for love and attention, and desperate for guidance.</p>
<p>For us atheists, the universe is a vastly wonderful place, full of unfathomable mysteries waiting to be discovered. For us humanity's journey of knowledge and understanding is an exciting road filled with new discoveries about the nature of our own existence. For theists, however, the universe without their deity is cold, empty and chaotic. By choosing superstition over knowledge, they see themselves as having put <em>meaning</em> into their lives, their gods give them the false conjecture that they are individuals whose existence is important, planned and guided - it makes them feel special. The times people (theist, atheist and agnostic alike) are most likely to convert to a new religion are when they are most emotionally isolated - starting a new job, moving to a new city or after a bad break up - because religion gives them a sense that they are not alone (and lets not forget that according to the big 3 monotheistic religions, the entire, infinite universe was created in six days just so we could have our own little rock to play on - egotism plays a part).</p>
<p>Also, it really is very comforting to some people to 'know' that they have all the answers, even if they are the wrong answers</p>